Corrections staff logs $50 million in overtime in 2018

MADISON, Wis. (AP) — Department of Corrections staff in Wisconsin racked up $50 million in overtime in 2018.

An internal review shows the overtime at the state's adult correctional institutions increased by $7 million from 2016. Overtime expenses for 2017 were not available.

The overtime is largely caused by staffing vacancies. The State Journal reports about 680 correctional officer and sergeant positions — or 15 percent — were vacant last year.

DOC spokeswoman Clare Hendricks says the state's low unemployment rate contributes to the agency's difficulty in retaining workers. The state saw an unemployment rate at or below 3 percent for most of 2018.